I'm asking a question on whether or not this type of knowledge is possible; if it is possible, I'm curious as to the path one must walk to achieve this. What is(are) the path(s) suggested by Buddhism to achieve this? Can anyone here give references to Buddhist texts or Buddhists that discuss this?

If these are of any use... At one time Venerable Sàriputta was living in the hamlet Nàlagà.Then the wandering ascetic Jambukhàdana approached Venerable Sàriputta, exchanged friendly greetings and sat on a side.

Sitting on a side the wandering ascetic Jambukhàdana said to Venerable Sàriputta: "Friend Sàriputta, it is said `extinction', what is extinction?""Friend, the destruction of greed, hate and delusion is extinction."

"Friend, is there a path and method for the realization of extinction?""Friend, there is a path and method to realize extinction."

"Friend, what is the path and method to realize extinction?""Friend, it is this same Noble Eightfold Path, for the realization of extinction, such as right view, right thoughts, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right establishment of mindfulness and concentration."

"Friend, the path and method is excellent for the realization of extinction. It is suitable that I should be diligent."Nibbana12345

randomseb wrote:The kind of knowledge that arises from direct knowing, that arises, emerges, from the Dharma, as circumstance dictates, as opposed to that kind of book knowledge that is programmed into your brain, into what we could call your brain's memory databank, through careful study and training?

I recall some patriarchal zen texts touching on this, but not specifically which one.. Perhaps the Platform Sutra of the 6th Patriarch, which you can conveniently find in book form with the wonderful Diamond Sutra, or not, as you see fit!

By knowledge, I refer to a type of "knowing" that, without a doubt, knows absolutely true information. As well, this "knowing" knows, without a doubt, that it knows absolutely true information.

charles wrote:Is there a type of knowledge that can be attained whereby one knows with absolute certainty that something is true?

Yes. You can be absolutely sure of awareness, that awareness is occurring at this very second....

Profile Picture: "The Foaming Monk"The Chinese characters are Fo (buddha) and Ming (bright). The image is of a student of Buddhism, who, imagining himself to be a monk, and not understanding the true meaning of the words takes the sound of the words literally. Likewise, People on web forums sometime seem to be foaming at the mouth. Original painting by P.Volker /used by permission.

By knowledge, I refer to a type of "knowing" that, without a doubt, knows absolutely true information. As well, this "knowing" knows, without a doubt, that it knows absolutely true information.

I think this refers to a state of being. What else could it refer to? It is not referring to a scientific formula, but realizing a truth about the nature of existence itself. So how could what anyone here says, impart that kind of knowledge, whether or not it exists?

As far as what the Buddhist tradition says about the question, I think those books that jnana mentioned are very good, although they are not easy books to read. But it is a very difficult question, and I don't think there are any easy answers to it.

Learn to do good, refrain from evil, purify the mind ~ this is the teaching of the Buddhas

By knowledge, I refer to a type of "knowing" that, without a doubt, knows absolutely true information. As well, this "knowing" knows, without a doubt, that it knows absolutely true information.

I think this refers to a state of being. What else could it refer to? It is not referring to a scientific formula, but realizing a truth about the nature of existence itself. So how could what anyone here says, impart that kind of knowledge, whether or not it exists?

I never said that what anyone here says is going to impart that kind of knowledge, all I asked was for information and responses to my questions. If someone here shares information on a path to achieve this state, then I might be curious to look more into that path.

Last edited by charles on Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:20 am, edited 1 time in total.

charles wrote:Is there a type of knowledge that can be attained whereby one knows with absolute certainty that something is true?

Yes. You can be absolutely sure of awareness, that awareness is occurring at this very second....

yes, this is it exactly, except I would perhaps call it "presence" without defining exactly what is present (since all descriptions and definitions are arbitrary). This is the first recognition. The next step is recognizing the context of this recognition. This is harder to talk about, although it can be pointed at by first arriving at astonishment at the fact that there is something (presence) rather than nothing, then "turning towards" that in you which is able to experience the state-of-affairs which enables you to be astonished. It then becomes possible to understand existentially that there is indeed a ground of being (your being, the world's being, it makes no difference, its all the same), that that ground is beyond any particulars (it would be the same for any sentient being of any kind in any possible place and time), that the ground, since it is beyond all particulars, is not a "thing", but that is not a lack of any kind, rather it makes our "thinghood" both infinitely illusory and, at the same time, infinitely profound and beautiful, and at the same time confirms that our real nature is beyond our thinghood and is, indeed, the ground. Neither the Buddha, nor Plato, nor Jesus, was lying.

Thoroughly tame your own mind.This is (possibly) the teaching of Buddha.

buddhism provides rigorous explanations for a type of mind that is absolutely undeceived and which can be achieved through mental development. its almost like a type of clairvoyance, and as youd expect, its a very exalted and rare thing

Besides the advice to look into epistemology and logic, the way to gain certainty about the Buddha's teaching is wisdom. Wisdom includes the studying and understanding of the teachings, and then confirming them in meditation by direct experience. While epistemology and logic are subjects studied mainly in Tibetan Buddhism, wisdom is an essential part of the path to liberation in every school. Obtaining certainty in the Dharma is the first stage of enlightenment, so every practitioner has to work towards this in the beginning.

"There is no such thing as the real mind. Ridding yourself of delusion: that's the real mind."(Sheng-yen: Getting the Buddha Mind, p 73)